Cable transportation system switch and cable transportation system comprising such a switch

Abstract

 A cable transportation system switch (9) having a first straight rail (20); a second straight rail (23) forming an angle of more than 0° and less than 45° with the first straight rail (20); and a third straight rail (27) located between the first and second straight rail (20, 23) and movable selectively between a first operating position, in which it contacts the first straight rail (20) and is parallel to the second straight rail (23), and a second operating position, in which it contacts the second straight rail (23) and is parallel to the first straight rail (20).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable transportation system switch.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a switch for a cable transportation system comprising transportation units moved by at least one hauling cable along a track defined by pairs of parallel rails.

[0003] Cable transportation systems of the above type are described in documents CH 671,929; AT 404,010; US 5,582,109; EP 687,607; AT 405,269; EP 1,077,167; EP 1,088,729; IT 1,313,914; IT 1,317,169; IT 1,316,131; IT 1,326,531; WO 08/129,019; WO 2009/019,259; WO 2009/053,485.

[0004] The tracks of cable transportation systems of the above type sometimes have forks. One particular type is that in which the track forks into two at a stop station for two transportation units travelling in opposite directions. Generally speaking, cable transportation system tracks may comprise two-way single-rail portions, and two-rail portions along which the transportation units pass one another in opposite directions.

[0005] When the transportation units travel in opposite directions along the track, the system comprises two respective hauling cables operated in opposite directions. Normally, the hauling cables extend parallel to the track, between the rails, and are connected to the transportation units by clamps integral with the units. Therefore, in addition to ensuring continuity of the track, the switches must also be designed to avoid interfering with the hauling cable/s and clamps.

[0006] One example of a switch for cable transportation systems of the above type is described in Patent IT 1,326,531, in which the switch comprises a track portion defined by two parallel curved rails extending along respective arcs, mounted on a pivot, and designed to connect different branches of the track, depending on the angular position of the pivot.

[0007] The above switch has proved successful, but has the drawback of comprising a moving part of considerable size and weight. Moreover, the pivot has to travel a long way to switch the rails, which therefore takes considerable time.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a cable transportation system switch that is easy to produce and operate.

[0009] Another object of the present invention to provide a cable transportation system switch featuring a small moving part.

[0010] Another object of the present invention to provide a cable transportation system switch that is easy to move.

[0011] According to the present invention, there is provided a cable transportation system switch comprising:

• a first straight rail;
• a second straight rail forming an angle of more than 0° and less than 45° with the first straight rail;
• a third straight rail located between the first and second straight rail and movable selectively between a first operating position, in which it contacts the first straight rail and is parallel to the second straight rail, and a second operating position, in which it contacts the second straight rail and is parallel to the first straight rail.

[0012] By virtue of the present invention, switching is performed by simply moving the third straight rail, which, combined with the first straight rail, at least partly defines one branch of the track, and, combined with the second straight rail, at least partly defines a further branch of the track. This switch configuration has a relatively compact, lightweight moving part, and provides for faster switching between the first and second operating positions.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the first and second straight rail have a first and second contoured portion respectively; and the third straight rail has a contoured end designed to form a joint with the first and second contoured portion.

[0014] The above design of the first, second and third straight rail ensures the continuity of the track.

[0015] The present invention also relates to a cable transportation system.

[0016] According to the present invention, there is provided a cable transportation system comprising :

• at least one transportation unit having wheels, and steering trolleys for steering the wheels;
• a track along which the transportation unit runs;
• two hauling cables engageable by the transportation unit; and
• a switch located along the track and as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims.

[0017] A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :

Figure 1 shows a schematic plan view, with parts removed for clarity, of a cable transportation system in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a larger-scale, schematic plan view, with parts removed for clarity, of a switch of the Figure 1 cable transportation system;

Figure 3 shows a larger-scale view in perspective, with parts removed for clarity, of a switch in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a larger-scale view in perspective, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of the Figure 3 switch.

[0018] Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a rail-mounted cable transportation system.

[0019] Cable transportation system 1 comprises a track 2; a stop station 3 along track 2; and two transportation units 4. Track 2 is defined by parallel rails with a gauge S (Figure 2), and comprises two series branches 5 and 6, and two parallel branches 7 and 8 connected to branches 5 and 6 by two switches 9.

[0020] Branch 5 comprises two parallel rails 10 and 11; branch 6 comprises two parallel rails 12 and 13; and branches 7 and 8 each comprise two parallel rails 14 and 15.

[0021] Cable transportation system 1 comprises two hauling cables 16 and 17 extending along track 2, between the rails, and operated in opposite directions D2 and D1 respectively.

[0022] More specifically, both hauling cables 16 and 17 extend along branches 5 and 6, whereas only hauling cable 16 extends along branch 7, and only hauling cable 17 extends along branch 8.

[0023] With reference to Figure 2, each switch 9 comprises two diverging branches (or converging branches, depending on the travelling direction) 18 and 19 for connecting branch 5 (or branch 6) to branches 7 and 8 (Figure 1). Branches 18 and 19 form a 12° angle, though the present invention also applies to switches with branches 18 and 19 forming angles of 0° to 45°.

[0024] Branch 18 comprises two straight parallel rails 20 and 21, and branch 19 comprises two straight parallel rails 22 and 23.

[0025] Straight rail 20 is connected to rail 10 at a connecting point 24; straight rail 23 is connected to rail 11 at a connecting point 25; whereas straight rails 21 and 22 converge and contact one another at a vertex 26.

[0026] Switch 9 comprises a movable straight rail 27 mounted for rotation at vertex 26, and movable selectively into a first operating position shown by the continuous line in Figure 2, and a second operating position shown by the dash line in Figure 2. The dot-and-dash line shows straight rail 27 in an intermediate position between the first and second operating position. In the first operating position, straight rail 27 is parallel to straight rail 23, aligned with straight rail 22, connected to rail 10, and contacting straight rail 20. In the second operating position, straight rail 27 is parallel to straight rail 20, aligned with straight rail 21, connected to rail 11, and contacting straight rail 23.

[0027] Straight rail 27 rotates about an axis A1, which is perpendicular to the plane of straight rails 20, 23, 27, is located close to vertex 26, and is the same distance, substantially equal to gauge S of track 2, from rails 20 and 23.

[0028] With reference to Figure 3, straight rail 27 has a hinged end 28 adjacent to straight rails 21, 22 at vertex 26 and in the shape of an arc centred about axis A1; and a free end 29 designed to form a joint with straight rails 20 and 23 at respective connecting points 24 and 25, which are spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to the gauge S of track 2. The free end 29 of straight rail 27 thus moves along an arc, which is centred about axis A1, is defined at the ends by connecting points 24 and 25, and has a chord substantially equal in length to gauge S.

[0029] Each switch 9 comprises a supporting structure 30 for supporting straight rail 27; and an actuating device 31 for operating straight rail 27. Supporting structure 30 comprises a guide 32 located beneath and for guiding straight rail 27 between the first and second operating positions; and two supporting members 33 beneath respective connecting points 24 and 25.

[0030] Actuating device 31 comprises a linear actuator 34 connected to supporting structure 30 and to straight rail 27, between ends 28 and 29.

[0031] As an alternative to the linear actuator, actuating device comprises a rotating actuator connected to the rail by means of a crank having one end engaged in a slit made in the rail.

[0032] Each of rails 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27 (Figure 1) is defined by a beam - in the example shown, an HEB beam - comprising an upper flange 35 and a lower flange 36 parallel to each other and connected by a web 37.

[0033] In actual use, upper flange 35 and web 37 define respective rolling tracks for transportation units 4, as shown more clearly in Figure 3.

[0034] Number 38 in Figure 3 indicates an axle forming part of a transportation unit 4, and which comprises a frame 39; two steering assemblies 40 connected to frame 39; two wheels 41 connected to respective steering assemblies 40; and a clamp 42 for selectively gripping and releasing hauling cable 16. Each steering assembly 40 comprises a steering trolley 43 designed to roll along the track defined by web 37, and to steer a respective wheel 41.

[0035] Rail 10 and straight rail 20 have contoured portions at connecting point 24 for forming a joint with the free end 29 of straight rail 27; rail 11 and straight rail 23 have contoured portions at connecting point 25 for also forming a joint with the free end 29 of straight rail 27; and the free end 29 of straight rail 27 is shaped to form the joints with the respective contoured portions at connecting points 24 and 25, and to connect the rolling tracks.

[0036] More specifically, the bottom parts of rail 10 and straight rail 20 are removed along the contoured portions at connecting point 24, and the bottom parts of rail 11 and straight rail 23 are removed along the contoured portions at connecting point 25. More specifically, lower flange 36 is removed completely, and roughly half the height of web 37 is removed. Conversely, the top part of straight rail 27 is removed at free end 29. That is, upper flange 35 is removed completely, and roughly half the height of web 37 is removed at free end 29.

[0037] The free end 29 of straight rail 27 is also designed to form a curved path at both connecting points 24 and 25.

[0038] More specifically, straight rail 27 comprises two connecting members 44 located symmetrically on opposite sides of web 37 at free end 29. One connecting member 44 comprises a curved face 45 tangent to web 37 of straight rail 27 and to web 37 of rail 10 at connecting point 24; and the other connecting member 44 comprises a curved face 45 tangent to web 37 of straight rail 27 and to web 37 of rail 11 at connecting point 25.

[0039] The switch according to the present invention has numerous advantages. In particular, the moving part of the switch is relatively compact and lightweight, and only has to move a relatively short distance, so the movable straight rail can be moved quickly between the first and second operating position. Moreover, the design of the free end of the movable straight rail forms smooth rolling tracks for the steering trolleys, with no sharp change in direction at the switch, thus improving passenger comfort and the stability of the transportation unit.

[0040] Clearly, changes may be made to the switch and cable transportation system as described herein without, however, departing from the scope of the accompanying Claims.

Claims

1. A cable transportation system switch (9) comprising:

- a first straight rail (20);

- a second straight rail (23) forming an angle of more than 0° and less than 45° with the first straight rail (20);

- a third straight rail (27) located between the first and second straight rail (20, 23) and movable selectively between a first operating position, in which it contacts the first straight rail (20) and is parallel to the second straight rail (23), and a second operating position, in which it contacts the second straight rail (23) and is parallel to the first straight rail (20).

2. A switch as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the third straight rail (27) rotates about an axis (A1) perpendicular to the plane of the first, second, and third straight rail (20, 23, 27).

3. A switch as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the axis (A1) is equidistant from the first and second straight rail (20, 23).

4. A switch as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, and comprising:

- a fourth straight rail (21) parallel to the first straight rail (20); and

- a fifth straight rail (22) parallel to the second straight rail (23);
the fourth and fifth straight rail (21, 22) forming a vertex (26) close to the axis (A1).

5. A switch as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, and comprising an actuating device (31) connected to the third straight rail (27) to move the third straight rail (27) between the first and second operating position.

6. A switch as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the actuating device (31) comprises a linear actuator (34) located between the two ends (28, 29) of the third straight rail (27).

7. A switch as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, wherein the first and second straight rail (20, 23) have a first and second contoured portion respectively; and the third straight rail (27) has a free end (29) designed to form a joint with the first and second contoured portion.

8. A switch as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the first, second, and third straight rail (20, 23, 27) each have a top portion and a bottom portion; the bottom portions of the first and second straight rail (20, 23) are removed along the first and second contoured portion respectively; and the top portion of the free end (29) of the third straight rail (27) is removed, so that the first and third straight rail (20, 27) overlap in the first operating position, and the second and third straight rail (23, 27) overlap in the second operating position.

9. A switch as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein the first, second, and third straight rail (20, 23, 27) each comprise an upper flange (35) defining a rolling track for a transportation unit (4); the upper flanges (35) of the first and second straight rail (20, 23) each having a cutout along the respective first and second contoured portion; and the upper flange (35) at the free end (29) of the third straight rail (27) being complementary in shape to the cutouts in the first and second straight rail (20, 23).

10. A switch as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 9, wherein the first, second, and third straight rail (20, 23, 27) each comprise a web (37) defining a rolling track for a steering trolley (43) of a transportation unit (4); the third straight rail (27) comprising a first and second guide member (44) located symmetrically on opposite sides of the web (37) of the third straight rail (27) to define respective curved paths tangent to the web (37) of the third straight rail (27).

11. A cable transportation system comprising :

- at least one transportation unit (4) having wheels (41), and steering trolleys (43) for steering the wheels (41);

- a track (2) along which the transportation unit (4) runs;

- two hauling cables (16, 17) engageable by the transportation unit; and

- a switch (9) located along the track (2) and as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims.

Drawing